Newb reloading questions

sawatzky

sawatzky

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sw ontario
I'm just getting into reloading and have a couple of questions for ya'll.
1. I will be reloading 308 for a browning BAR and 30-06 for a remmy 7400. Do I need to buy small base sizer dies or will f/l dies work. I haven't bought any dies yet btw.
2. I will also be loading 300wm for a browning BBR. A little birdie told me I don't need to full length resize everytime and this will extend case life. My question is if I don't need to f/l resize, do I just pop out the primer, clean and reload? And how often do I need to resize??

Thanks in advance for your help.
 
you will have to full length size for semi auto's. factory chambers are usually on the bigger side of saami specs so FL dies should work. if they don't you'll have to get small base. trying it will be the only way to tell for sure.

you have to size after every firing. you will get alot more reloads out of nonbelted cartriges(308, 3006) than belted magnums.

clean, lube, size, trim, chamfer, prime, charge, bullet, shoot.
 
You should full length size for semi's and pumps. Neck sizing for a bolt gun is fine as long as you are reloading fired brass from the same bolt gun. After a half dozen rounds or so though you will have to full length size them too as they will be too tight
 
On another note, if you have not spent any money yet, consider buying dies (like Redding) that use a bushing to size the neck instead of the run of the mill that use an expader ball. Nothing stretches your cases more than sizing with a die that uses an expander ball. Those f**ing expander ball thingies should be illegal. Granted they are a little more expensive, but cost out the gear for trimming brass and the pain that trimming entails and you will see the light
 
For the two semi's you might want to go ahead and get the small base dies right away to elimiate any chance of feeding issues. For the Browning, consider a set of Lee deluxe dies, they include a seating die, a full length sizing die and a neck sizing die.
 
Lee dies are fine for pistol. Spend a few bucks on your rifle dies. You spent a few bucks for your rifle. Been doin' this s**t for over 20 years ... I know. I have a Lyman case trimmer with an inch of dust on it, wanna buy it
 
Um, Lee trimmers are about $7, how much you want for the Lyman? Seriously, it depends what you are trying to achieve. If your a serious competitive shooter, go for Redding. I'm trying to get nice groups from hunting rifles, RCBS, Lee and Hornady are in my toolbox.
 
I have Hornady,RCBS,Redding and Lee. I have issues with them all,but for precision equipment, they all are dirt cheap. For the semies, the Lee Pacesetter set with the Factory crimp would be the way to go,if you don't need small base dies. If you do, still pick up the Factory crimp by it's self. Individual dies from all makes vary, I have found the Lee as correct as the others.
 
Neck sizing for pumps and semis is doable, if the brass fired from that gun chambers smoothly. I did that for a 742 in 30-06, really brought out the best in that ol' carbine.
 
"...just pop out the primer, clean and reload..." You'll have to at least neck size every time. If you ever buy another rifle in the same chambering and want to use the same brass for both, you'll have to full length resize when loading for each.
 
Thanks for all your replies, I guess I might as well buy the small base dies for the semi's just in case the f/l ones don't quite do the trick. Saves me buying two sets. Thanks again.
 
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